Something to Dream About {Slow Updates}

Nineteen

𝄞 Layla 𝄞

I was at lunch with my friend group, listening to their conversation as I ate my food in peace.

Indi set her chin on her hand, shaking her head. "I just can't believe we're gonna be seniors next year."

"I know," Raina groaned. "Geez, that's scary to think about."

"No matter where we end up," Linh said, "we have to stay in touch."

I nodded in agreement.

These were some of the only girls my age I'd ever really gotten close with. Not that I didn't like others, I just learned that I didn't mix too well with other people. That is, when I was myself.

"What are you guys doing after highschool?" Kiara asked.

"My parents want me to take over their bakery," Linh answered first. "No matter how many times I tell them I'm gonna go to college and probably live out my New York fantasies for a bit, they still expect me to follow their plans for me."

"New York," Raina exhaled wistfully. "I'll kidnap you and we'll go together. That's a perfect place to open my dance studio."

"You wanna be a dance teacher?" Kiara asked her. She was always interested in getting to know other people—even those she'd known for years. It was why everyone liked to be around her. Because she cared.

Raina nodded cheerfully.

"That would suit you so well," Kiara replied sincerely before turning to Indi. "What about you?"

"Stanford, hopefully." She looked away, rubbing a hand along her jaw. "Hopefully Clancy and I both get in. That's the dream right there. What about you?"

"Oh, gosh," Kiara said. "That's a scary question. I want to do volunteer work, something in other countries, but...I don't know how sustainable that is."

The rest of the girls seemed slightly dimmed by the thought of growing up, but I was excited. I looked forward to the day I got to move away from my grandfather. I looked forward to chasing after my goals without being held back by being a minor or having to go to school.

"And you, Layla?"

All eyes were suddenly on me.

"Oh, anything to do with music," I quickly said. That was always my answer because it felt silly to say I wanted to write songs for a living. Plus, the only time I'd brought it up—which was to my grandfather—I'd been humbled instantly.

"Hm," Indi hummed, tilting her head. "I guess I could see you working in that field."

"Barbie popstar," Kiara whispered to me.

I nodded slowly, unsure of where to bring the conversation next.

No need for that though, when suddenly all my friends' eyes were on something behind me. I slowly turned around, only to startle due to the boy towering over me.

He was a senior, the grade above me. Trent Elmer. We were classroom-friends, as I referred to us. If we had no other people to sit with, we sat with each other. If we had no other people to work with, we worked with each other. If there was extra time at the end of class and we didn't have anyone else, we'd make small talk.

He was from Texas, which was made obvious with the trucker hat he always sported, the voluminous, curly mullet that actually wasn't that bad of a look, and the southern drawl to his accent that would've been charming if I wasn't in the process of falling for Malachi.

"Trent," I addressed, putting on the grin I always wore when being polite.

"Layla." His lips pulled into a smile with warm blue eyes resting on mine. "Gotta minute?"